I had a great conversation with my mom the other day about Christmas. And she expressed her feelings about how she wished we would have had simpler Christmas's. We always received nice gifts for Christmas. Which I think eventually led to a lot of expectations or wants. We did do our share of giving. But is it sending a mix message its better to give than to receive? When we give our children and abundance of presents. But who doesnt like to buy their kids nice things? And here lies the eternal struggle!
My mother shared with me this story of a family she knows who spends Christmas going to Mexico and giving out gifts to the. Then they buy their children gifts another time or sporadically during the year.
My hope this year is to focus on Spencer's grandmother (who just had knees surgery and is in a rehab facility) and my grandfather who has been a widower for 4 years this Dec., which makes the holidays even harder. I find that when Im looking for people to serve I forget about the ones who are closest to me.
I think now is a good time to start these new Christmas traditions while they are young. What do you think? And what do you so for Christmas?
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
True Meaning of Christmas
Posted by Amber at 7:56 AM
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With Darin's family, the adults do not give to each other, we instead choose a way to donate to humanitarian aid. One year we assembled school kids, another year newborn kits. Last year we arranged to visit 2 homes for the elderly, we sang Christmas carols in the lounge, then visited patients in their rooms and gave out mittens with a cute little message tied to them. I like the message it sends to the children, every Christmas they learn to give to someone who will never give them a "gift", but to feel the spirit of giving instead. Darin and I also choose a family every year, since we were married, to do the 12 days of Christmas to. Someone having a hard time who needs a little extra cheer. Our kids love it, and learn to love the family. Hope this helps!
I agree!!! It certainly does seem like an eternal struggle. When the kids are older...say Dorian's 10 and Kiera's 12, I want to take them to a 3rd world country, pass out gifts and clothes. And truly understand giving. I love that the family that goes to Mexico still gives their kids presents, but sporadically throughout the year. My college roommate's friend was EXTREMELY spoiled. They probably spent upwards of $1000 per kid! Which most certainly is NOT what Christmas is about. I was talking to Jase about how the kids already have too many toys and that I don't want them to have any for Christmas - we were actually thinking about Disneyland passes instead which would give us more family time...
BTW...so happy you're on facebook! Woohoo!
I think it's a great idea! Thanks for the idea, I will *try* to start young on that same path. I know a family who gives three gifts...like Christ's gifts from the wisemen. I think that's cool but don't think I'll have the restraint this first Christmas.
Also, can I just say you look GREAT in the pumpkin patch picture?! Weight loss? Hair color?
And on jeans...I'm fat but I like target jeans alot. Mossimo is my fav. If you ask Jenny she'd say Gap and if you asked Callie or Melissa they'd say Mek or Abercrombie (spoiled).
One of our favorite things to do each Christmas is find a family who needs help. The kids get to pick out presents and wrap them and deliver them and in some instances see the humble circumstances they live in. The little kids might be too young to really grasp it but I know it's impacted Maurina. I see your struggle, we have the same dilemma because I am so anti-spoiling kids that I don't do a lot for them throughout the year. So I don't mind splurging a little at the holidays to make up for it. I think as long as you're teaching them to think of others and do things for others and make the Savior the main focus then they'll learn what it's all about!
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